From judges’ bench to legal representative: Suood returns to Supreme Court

Husnu Al Suood, who resigned from his position as a Supreme Court justice in protest against what he described as government interference in the judiciary, has returned to the country's highest court as legal counsel after more than a year since his resignation.

Suood resigned in March last year, citing concerns over the suspension of Supreme Court justices and alleging that the government was exerting pressure on judicial officials. His resignation came shortly after he was suspended ahead of a hearing on a petition seeking to halt proceedings related to the disqualification of parliamentarians.

Although Suood has reportedly appeared in several cases before lower courts since stepping down from the Supreme Court, Thursday marked his first appearance before the apex court in a professional legal capacity.

Suood appeared before the Supreme Court on Thursday in a case linked to local council elections. The matter concerns an appeal against a High Court ruling on council election in M. Veyvah, where three ballot papers were invalidated due to specific markings. Suood is representing the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) candidate who filed the appeal.

Suood was appointed to the Supreme Court on December 8, 2019, during the MDP administration. He holds an LLM from the University of Queensland in Australia and an LLB from the International Islamic University Malaysia.

Over the course of his legal career, Suood has held several senior positions, including Attorney General of the Maldives, President of the Presidential Commission on Murders and Enforced Disappearances, and a judge in the Civil Court.

Widely regarded as one of the Maldives’ most prominent legal figures, Suood is also a prolific author. He has published numerous works on Maldivian law, including texts covering land law, family law, and the principles of Islamic Shariah.